Export orders drive factory gains

U.S. industrial activity expands at best pace in 2½ years

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posted: November 2, 2013 at 3:14 a.m.

LENNY IGNELZI
Credit: AP
Employees at Sheffield Platers Inc. work on the factory floor in San Diego in October. U.S. factory activity expanded in October despite a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government.

U.S. factory activity expanded in October at the fastest pace in 2½ years, suggesting that the 16-day partial shutdown of the government had little effect on manufacturers.